Seems like it's been a while since anyone's posted here, I just want to give an up-to-date perspective of my experiences of living in Morocco. I'm a 24 year old female, and I'm married to a Moroccan, and I've been in Fes for 2 years now. Aside from the occasional shouts of 'hey blondey', etc, I don't get much hassle - I experienced FAR worse in Andalucia, where I worked previously. Having knowledge of French helps, but if you make an effort to learn Arabic while you are here you will earn a few brownie points with the locals.

Many people say that Morocco's nightlife leaves much to be desired, but I've had many a great night out in Morocco. I've been to clubs and bars in Fes, Marrakech, Rabat, Essaouira and Tangier. My experience in Morocco has been 100% positive, I socialise with both ex-pats and Moroccans, I come from a working class background in the UK and am not in any way a snob, when it comes to how I live I'm very easy-going. If you're used to teaching in Asia with all its high-tech gadgets and self-flushing toilets etc. then perhaps Morocco isn't for you. Also, in Morocco you kind of need to earn the respect of the locals, otherwise you'll never fit in - attitude and good-manners go a long way, as well as a sense of humour. Remember, Morocco is still a developing country so you're not going to get 'luxury' here.

Another poster and I without doubt hold the world record (seriously) for any foreigner visiting the most bars, restaurants, cafes and similar in Casablanca.

Self-flushing toilets aside, Iím reminded of a former colleague. Our female colleagues, all married or attached to locals, never went out. They knew nothing of that city. One day, however, one British lady came out with us to a bar. Later on, in her excellent French, she asked a passing waiter where the ladiesí toilets were.

His reply before moving on to serve another table was, ďSorry, we have no ladiesí toilets here.Ē

If I had to do it all over again, I would at least go somewhere slightly interesting like Marrakech or Fes. And, yes, there are jobs there.

However, me being me, working in Morocco always just made me wish I was in the south of Spain.

That is not to knock Morocco, I know some people like it, but Spain to me had everything good about Morocco and a whole lot more. (Including nightlife, bars with women in them and beer, and the ability to have a drink outside on a hot summer's night).

If you are North American and thinking of living in Morocco as a second best to Europe (as I know many do), you could consider working in Tangers, it is more fun than Casa/Rabat and only it's a quick trip over the water to a very interesting part of Spain!

If the OP ain't a hoax, as someone who's spent a lot of time in North Africa amongst the Muslims, I'd advise the following;

-Don't mention atheism ever.

-Don't bang on about women's rights as some of 'em don't like talking about womenfolk. It isn't done in Arabic culture. 'Stricter' Muslims may also take offence.

-Be careful men will gawk at you, especially if you dress in shorts or a t-shirt.

-Don't arrange to meet men alone. Under Islamic law a woman needs 4 witnesses to confirm rape.

-Don't go there if you think your gonna change what is a very old culture.

Keep your personal view of Islam to yourself or you'll get into hot water.

I'm in North Africa now. There is a lot of sexism, terrible inequality, total hypocrisy and mind boggling incompetence. Most people aren't educated enough to understand the message...they're rammed with propaganda, usually ,anti-semitic and have very narrow minds. But don't say that when you are there in person.

A lot of people don't believe in god, and when this inevitable subject comes up in conversation with Moroccans, there is no reason why atheist/agnostic types canít say so. You wonít be insulting Islam or Arab culture.

Given the world in which we live, it's safer not to admit that you're a 'kufr'-being a 'nasrani'/'messahi' ie Christian (even if you're not) is much safer for you. Morocco has not been ignored by the fanatics and Arab Muslims will judge you....even if you think it ain't no big thing. Muslims have surrendered to Allah for 1,500 years and the 1st pillar of Islam is central to life in North Africa and the Gulf whether you like it or not.

Just thinking about the poster's safety bro-it's better to avoid the topic of religion altogether.

Given the world in which we live, it's safer not to admit that you're a 'kufr'-being a 'nasrani'/'messahi' ie Christian (even if you're not) is much safer for you. Morocco has not been ignored by the fanatics and Arab Muslims will judge you....even if you think it ain't no big thing. Muslims have surrendered to Allah for 1,500 years and the 1st pillar of Islam is central to life in North Africa and the Gulf whether you like it or not.

Just thinking about the poster's safety bro-it's better to avoid the topic of religion altogether.

This is a stereotype. I've come across plenty of Muslims in the five Islamic countries in which I have taught (including Morocco) who thought their religion (or aspects of it) was a load of tosh while publicly going through certain motions. Once they knew you they were quite ready to criticise it and some considered the stances of atheism and agnosticism to be appealing.

If only that was possible. Rightly or wrongly, religion is important to Moroccans, and many will talk about it to westerners. At that point, pleading ignorance or atheism is the best bet. Nothing to do with safety, you wonít meet any nutters as a teacher. Itís just to avoid stalemate debates.